"He's said he supports me. I've said I intend to continue. I don't know why there's so much traffic around this particular issue.

"The only thing that annoys me is the fact that I'm here talking about that instead of about the fact that this state is in such a dreadful situation economically.

"That should be the focus of the attention of the people of the state. So the distraction factor is certainly annoying.

"I know that the party is actually very keen to just get on with the job."

Senior Liberals met last night to discuss the closing dates for pre-selection nominations in a handful of state seats still without candidates, including Schubert, where the retirement of Ivan Venning leaves the most likely vacancy for Mr Downer, should be decide to enter state politics.

Asked about the outcome of the meeting Ms Redmond said she did not discuss the deliberations of the party state executive.

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